Popular indie rockers to replace Lizzo at fun, hope-filled sober music festival north of the Twin Cities

Center City, MN (August 2, 2017)—A year after helping to attract the biggest crowd ever at HazelFest, indie rockers Hippo Campus will step in this Saturday to headline the one-of-a-kind sober music festival.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, scheduled headliner Lizzo is no longer able to appear at this year's HazelFest. However, demonstrating true Minnesota pride, Hippo Campus was able to rearrange their schedule to fill the void and will return home for the Aug. 5 show following a run of other high-profile festival dates wrapping up Thursday at Lollapalooza in Chicago.

"They electrified our audience last year and have been generating buzz across the country ever since, so we are thrilled and grateful to welcome back Hippo Campus for our fifth anniversary event," said David Campbell, the former Twin Cities radio DJ who now works for the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and will emcee HazelFest for the fourth time. "Hippo Campus is one of the most talented and exciting young bands in the United States—not the kind you can typically get on short notice. It means a lot that they stepped in to be part of our event again and shows that they care about what we're doing to help people live better lives."

In addition to Lollapalooza and HazelFest, Hippo Campus has played several other big festivals this summer, including Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tenn., and Summerfest in Milwaukee—all in support of the band's first full-length LP, "landmark," which also earned the group its second appearance on the late-night talk show Conan in March.

"We will definitely miss Lizzo, and will invite her again in the future," Campbell said, noting that anyone requesting ticket refunds due to the late lineup change can get details at www.hazelfest.org. "At the same time, thanks to Hippo Campus, our lineup remains as incredible as ever. We expect a big crowd and a lot of fun, and invite everyone to join us."

Acclaimed artists Har Mar Superstar, Communist Daughter and Alex Rossi will also perform at the unique and inspiring outdoor festival, which will be held Saturday, Aug. 5, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the campus of Hazelden in Center City.

HazelFest brings together people affected by addiction and the general public to celebrate recovery, spread hope and smash the stigma associated with substance use disorders and mental illness. Once a year, the serene campus of the nation's leading nonprofit provider of addiction treatment and recovery resources transforms into a spirited summer bash.

"I don't know of another festival like it in the country, where 100 percent of the talent and the audience is completely sober," Campbell said. "It's powerful to be with a few thousand people who are all present and connected in the moment, learning to have fun and be healthy together."

"Everyone can benefit from the principles and lifestyle of recovery—whether you've experienced addiction or mental illness, or like all of us, sometimes struggled with the everyday challenges of life," Campbell continued. "HazelFest is about being human, healthy and together. And who doesn't like music? This is a party for one and all."

Presented by the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and sponsored by 89.3 The Current, this year's event promises even more than music, including a #LifeTake2 recovery speaker tent; Yoga on the Lawn with national yoga and recovery expert Tommy Rosen; Clifford the Big Red Dog, courtesy of Twin Cities PBS; some of the area's best food trucks; many recovery-focused and art exhibitors; and other fun family-friendly activities.

The #LifeTake2 tent will feature speakers like Rosen, award-winning songwriter/producer Kevin Bowe; and authors Rosemary O'Connor and Michael Graubart, as well as a Drum Circle hosted by Don Karsky and Hal Sanders. And making a return appearance to HazelFest will be DJ LAST WORD, performing between sets.

Tickets are just $15 in advance and available now at www.HazelFest.org. They will be $25 at the door, and children 12 and under can attend for free (no ticket required). For more information, please visit the HazelFest 2017 website.

Hippo Campus – Vocalist/guitarist Jake Luppen, guitarist/vocalist Nathan Stocker, bassist Zach Sutton and drummer Whistler Allen have done their fair share of growing up since forming in late 2013. Their pair of 2015 EPs, Bashful Creatures and South, catapulted a freshly-formed band onto sold-out tours, radio airwaves, late-night TV stages, timelines, feeds, and glowing screens the world over. After a 10-month stretch of work informed by their surprising ascent, Hippo Campus' first full-length album, "landmark," showcases not only their trademark ear for ringing melodies and impeccably constructed pop frameworks, but a desire to dig deeper – both into their talent and into their selves – for inspiration.

Har Mar Superstar – Sean Tillmann (aka Har Mar Superstar) is an American songwriter and performer who makes R&B / Pop / Soul music. What started as a one-man show in 1999 has grown into a full-band revue. Often noted as a premier live act, Tillmann works the crowd and earns his keep with sweat equity. A grueling tour schedule has made this Minneapolis outfit a show not to miss.

Communist Daughter – A few years ago, Johnny Solomon walked away from music. After a long struggle with addiction and a brief stint in jail, he broke up his band and moved to a small town, and supposedly that was that. But facing his demons brought him back to music with the help of his new band Communist Daughter. Garnering praise from far flung sources including Rolling Stone and FADER, Communist Daughter returns with a second album that cements them nationally as a band on the rise.

Alex Rossi – Hailing from Minneapolis, Alex Rossi is a vocalist, guitarist and songwriter who has been performing professionally for nearly 20 years. With strong roots in blues, soul and funk, Rossi has created his own unique and recognizable sound that will keep you dancing. Rossi formed and fronted the band Root City in 1998 and in 2013 was selected as a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition. His discography includes two full length albums, a live album and an EP, and he is now back in the studio working on a fifth album.

About the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is a force of healing and hope for individuals, families and communities affected by addiction to alcohol and other drugs. It is the nation's largest nonprofit treatment provider, with a legacy that began in 1949 and includes the 1982 founding of the Betty Ford Center. With 17 sites in California, Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, New York, Florida, Massachusetts, Colorado and Texas, the Foundation offers prevention and recovery solutions nationwide and across the entire continuum of care to help youth and adults reclaim their lives from the disease of addiction. It includes the largest recovery publishing house in the country, a fully accredited graduate school of addiction studies, an addiction research center, an education arm for medical professionals and a unique children's program, and is the nation's leader in advocacy and policy for treatment and recovery. Learn more at HazeldenBettyFord.org and on Twitter@hazldnbettyford.

The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is a force of healing and hope for individuals, families and
communities affected by addiction to alcohol and other drugs. It is the nation's largest
nonprofit treatment provider, with a legacy that began in 1949 and includes the 1982 founding
of the Betty Ford Center. With 17 sites in California, Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, New York,
Florida, Massachusetts, Colorado and Texas, the Foundation offers prevention and recovery
solutions nationwide and across the entire continuum of care for youth and adults.